Henry Sosa

2.1. San Francisco Giants System (2004-2011)

Sosa began his professional career within the San Francisco Giants' minor league system. In 2006, he started with the AZL Giants, where he had a record of 2-1 with a 3.90 ERA in nine games, including six starts. He notably struck out 41 batters in 32 and one-third innings. The following year, in 2007, he played for both the San Jose Giants and the Augusta GreenJackets. With the GreenJackets, he achieved an impressive 6-0 record with a 0.73 ERA in 13 games (10 starts). For the San Jose Giants, he posted a 5-5 record with a 4.38 ERA in 14 starts. His combined record for 2007 was 11-5 with a 2.58 ERA over 27 games (24 starts), striking out 139 batters in 125 and two-thirds innings. In 2007, he also played for the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League. In 2008, he continued to play for the San Jose Giants and Augusta GreenJackets, going 3-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 57 and two-thirds innings across both teams.

2.2. Houston Astros (2011)

On July 19, 2011, Sosa was traded to the Houston Astros along with Jason Stoffel in exchange for infielder Jeff Keppinger. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on August 10, 2011, starting against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Although he took the loss after allowing four runs in six innings, he secured his first MLB win on August 25, when he allowed just one run over six innings against his former team, the San Francisco Giants. In his first MLB season, Sosa made 10 starts, finishing with a record of 3-5 and an ERA of 5.23.

2.3. Kia Tigers (2012-2013)

Sosa joined the Kia Tigers of the KBO League on May 24, 2012, serving as a replacement for Horacio Ramirez. During his tenure, he notably pitched a 150-pitch complete game shutout on September 28, 2012, achieving a team-first four consecutive complete games. He continued to play for the Kia Tigers in 2013. However, following the 2013 season, he was released by the team due to struggles with his command and control.

2.4. Los Angeles Dodgers System (2013-2014)

After his initial stint in the KBO League, Sosa signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2013. He was subsequently assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes. During his time with the Isotopes, Sosa made seven starts, recording a 1-2 record with a 3.72 ERA and 27 strikeouts. He was released by the Dodgers organization on May 16, 2014, following the acquisition of pitcher Jeff Bennett.

2.5. Nexen Heroes (2014)

On May 15, 2014, Sosa returned to the KBO League, signing with the Nexen Heroes as a replacement for Brandon Knight. In his impactful season with the Heroes, he achieved his first double-digit win season in the KBO League, finishing with 10 wins and only 2 losses, which earned him the winning percentage title. He pitched effectively in Game 5 of the 2014 Korean Series, throwing 6 and one-third scoreless innings, but the team ultimately lost the game due to late-inning defensive errors and a blown save. Following the season, negotiations for a new contract with the Heroes stalled, reportedly due to Sosa's high salary demands, leading to his departure.

2.6. LG Twins (2015-2018)

Sosa signed with the LG Twins of the KBO League in December 2014, beginning a significant four-year tenure with the team. He proved to be a consistent performer, securing 10 wins in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. In 2017, he achieved a personal best in the KBO with 11 wins. Throughout his time with the LG Twins, Sosa became recognized as one of the most prominent veteran foreign pitchers in the KBO League, often mentioned alongside other long-tenured foreign players like Dustin Nippert. He became a free agent after the 2018 season.

2.7. Fubon Guardians (First Stint, 2019)

Sosa joined the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the 2019 season, signing on January 13. He demonstrated strong performance during this period, recording an 8-2 record with an impressive 1.56 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 86 and two-thirds innings over 12 games.

2.8. SK Wyverns (2019)

On June 3, 2019, Sosa made a brief return to the KBO League, signing with the SK Wyverns as a mid-season acquisition to replace Brock Dykxhoorn. During his time with the Wyverns for the remainder of the 2019 season, he recorded 9 wins. He became a free agent again following the season.

2.9. Fubon Guardians (Second Stint, 2020-2021)

Sosa re-signed with the Fubon Guardians for the 2020 season on December 13, 2019. He had a dominant season in 2020, making a league-high 29 starts and pitching a league-best four complete games, including one shutout. He finished the year with 15 wins and a 3.38 ERA, also leading all pitchers with a WAR of 5.61. In September 2020, he earned a Monthly MVP award, having won all five of his starts with a 1.66 ERA during that month.

In 2021, his season was cut short when he suffered a left knee injury during a game against the Rakuten Monkeys on March 21, forcing him to exit the game. He was subsequently removed from the active roster. After returning to his home country for rehabilitation on May 7, Sosa underwent ACL surgery on April 19. He was then released by the Fubon Guardians on July 12. Despite the injury, he still managed to record 1 win with a 1.80 ERA in two appearances in 2021.

2.10. Rakuten Monkeys (2022)

On January 8, 2022, Sosa signed with the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He made five starts for the team, posting a 2-3 record with a 2.73 ERA and 11 strikeouts over 33 innings. On July 7, Sosa was released by the Monkeys at his own request, as he sought opportunities to play in the Mexican League.

2.11. Mexican League Career (2022-2023)

Following his departure from the CPBL, Henry Sosa transitioned to playing in the Mexican League, where he spent parts of two seasons with different teams.

2.12. Independent League Career (2023)

On August 12, 2023, Sosa joined the Spire City Ghost Hounds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league. In five starts for the Ghost Hounds, he registered a 5.53 ERA with 26 strikeouts over 27 and two-thirds innings pitched. He was released by the team on September 9.

2.13. Conspiradores de Querétaro (2024-present)

On February 5, 2024, Sosa signed with the Conspiradores de Querétaro, a newly established team in the Mexican League. In 20 games, including 12 starts, for Querétaro, he has posted a 6-4 record and a 6.63 ERA with 64 strikeouts across 73 and one-third innings pitched.

4.1. Personal Preferences and Episodes

Sosa has expressed a fondness for Korean cuisine, specifically naming "Gulbi" (dried yellow croaker) as his favorite. There is an anecdote from his time with the Kia Tigers where he reportedly consumed 30 pieces of gulbi. He is known for his strong affection for South Korea. In 2014, when former NC Dinos pitcher Adam Wilk made negative comments about Korea on Twitter, Sosa publicly defended the country, stating that Wilk was spreading false information and affirming that Korea is a good place to live. He later expressed great joy upon signing with the Nexen Heroes to return to the KBO League.

4.2. Nicknames

Henry Sosa has acquired several nicknames from fans and media during his career:

• Mabsosa (맙소사_Mabsosa^Korean): Used when he performs poorly. This is a play on his last name "Sosa" combined with the Korean exclamation "Mabsosa" meaning "Oh my goodness!"
• Sosaiyan (소사이언_Sosaiyan^Korean): Used when he performs exceptionally well, inspired by "Super Saiyan" from the Dragon Ball series, suggesting superhuman abilities.

7.1. Pitching Statistics by Year

7.2. Defensive Statistics by Year

7.3. Career Totals by League